Kern Audubon Society usually meets on the first
Tuesday of each month at 7PM. After a short period for announcements, introductions, etc., a program is
presented by an outstanding person(s) in the field of conservation, ornithology,ecology, history, or
biology. Generally, the programs are accompanied by Powerpoint, slide, or other media and there is usually
a lively discussion and question and answer period. A list of past speakers is given at the end of this
page.

After the program, there are refreshments, and winning raffle tickets are drawn for prizes such as bird
guides, photographs or posters, nature games, and other items donated by our members. In addition to a
fun time, the raffles are important to our treasury as we re-build our Chapter.

Unless noted otherwise, meetings will be in the Kern Superintendent of Schools
Office at 17th and L Streets. There is free parking on the street or in the parking structure north of the
building. Meetings are open to the public and there is no admission charge.

The Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus) is a small, nocturnal, neotropical migrant that volcalizes quietly and is seldom seen. They arrive late (April - mid-May) to their breeding grounds in the western US, including the Sequoia National Forest, from wintering grounds in Mexico & Central America. The Southern Sierra Research Station conducted surveys for Flammulated Owls in the southern Sierras during 2011-2012 breeding seasons. Jenna Stanek, wildlife biologist with the Southern Sierra Research Station has built and hung Flammulated Owl boxes and is in charge of checking the nest boxes with volunteer efforts to check for occupants. Jenna has a BA in Environmental policy and Spanish at Albright College, a BS from Western State Colorado University and a Master's in Wildlife & Fisheries Biology from Clemson University.

Past Programs

Kern Audubon

Tues. April 7, 2015

7:00pm-City Center (17th & L Sts.)

( parking lot @18th & K Sts.)

"Tricolored Blackbirds: Saving an Iconic California Species"

Samantha Arthur, Audubon California

In 2014, 145,000 Tricolored Blackbirds were counted in the Central Valley, down from 2-3 million in the 1930's. Because of its sharp decline in recent years, Tricoloreds were recently emergency listed as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act and have been petitioned for listing with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Samantha Arthur, Conservation Project Manager for Audubon California, will present a program on Audubon multi-pronged approach to saving this endemic California species, including working with dairy farmers to delay harvesting their agricultural fields, which have become prime nesting habitat for Tricoloreds due to the 95% loss of wetlands. Audubon's commitment to this project is another example of how much "birds matter"!

Samantha Arthur focuses on improving wetlands management for the benefit of bird species in the Central Valley of California through her work for Audubon California, especially as manager of Audubon's campaign to save the Tricolored Blackbird. She has a Masters of Enviromental Science & Management from UC Santa Barbara and an extensive background in conservation. Prior to Audubon Samantha worked with the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts and was a Land Protection Specialist for the Big Sur Land Trust.

Kern Audubon

Tues. March 3, 2015

7:00pm - City Center (17th & L Sts.)

( parking lot @18th & K Sts.)

"California's Southernmost Pronghorn

Population -- An Upclose Perspective"

Bill Lydecker, Presenter

The American mammal most people in the United States call an antelope is arguably the most distinctly American mammal in all of North America. Unlike antelope which evolved in the old world and are native to Eurasia and Africa, pronghorn are the only remaining species of a type of hoofed animal that evolved in North America.

Pronghorn ( Antilocarpa americana) were present in historic times in the Antelope Valley but were extirpated in the early part of the last century. In 1985 and 1987, a total of 91 pronghorn were reintroduced from Modoc County to Tejon Ranch. This population has decreased over time, with recent population estimates ranging from the low twenties to high thirties.

Since November 2013, Bill Lydecker, member of Kern Audubon, has been working as a volunteer with others at Tejon Ranch Conservancy surveying the pronghorn herd at Tejon Ranch in the Antelope Valley. He will show photographs taken over the last year that demonstrate how pronghorn behave through the year, how different animals can be identified as individuals, and how physical characteristics and behaviors make pronghorn unique.

Join Kern Audubon on March 3rd for a fascinating look at this iconic American species!

Wildlife biologist Vicky Monroe will talk about urban wildlife, wildlife management issues, threatened & endangered bird species, problems of predation on birds, including feral cat impacts, and more. Vicky is with the California Dept of Fish & Wildlife, Central Region. She has a BS from Colorado State University and Masters from James Cook University in Australia, where she conducted field research on the behavioral ecology of flying foxes.

Victoria Monroe,Kern District CA CDFW

TUES. DECEMBER 2, 2014

ANNUAL HOLIDAY GATHERING & POTLUCK

6:30PM

University Square (Reider Center)

20th & K Sts

(Please note the location & time change for this meeting!!)

Featuring...the Bakersfield High Carolers

The BHS Carolers are an auditioned group of juniors and seniors who meet weekly to rehearse Christmas carols plus performing close to 20 concerts during December. They are directed by Judy Foth, a senior. This accapella ensemble will sing a program for Kern Audubon featuring twenty traditional Christmas carols, including such favorites as 'Silent Night', 'The First Noel', 'Jolly Old St. Nicolas' and'Feliz Navidad'.

Bring a POTLUCK ITEM to share:

main dish (for 8-10 people), salad or side dish, dessert

(Drinks & table service provided)

PLUS...

Live & Silent AUCTION

This is one of our fun & important fund-raisers for the year! Heather Ellison, Auction Coordinator (319-4721) reports that a handmade QUILT, HONEY & RESTAURANT GIFT CARDS are among the items to be auctioned! More is certainly needed, so please contact Heather with a brief description of what you plan to bring. Perhaps you have artwork or homemade jams, etc. to donate--call or email hk_ellison@yahoo.com with your contribution!

One more thing: If you have bird photos or pictures from field trips or activities, bring

to the potluck on Dec. 2nd! Deb See will have a picture board for posting pics!

Hummingbirds!!

On Saturday,October 25, 2014 the Tehachapi Heritage League will partner with the Kern Audubon Society to present "Hummingbirds: Dazzling Bundles of Energy!" Dr. H. Ross Hawkins, founder and executive director of the Hummingbird Society based in Sedona, Arizona, will start with the basics in "Hummingbirds 101" and continue with an exploration of the rich beauty of some of the 338 known hummer species.

Since this event will be held at the Tehachapi Depot, 101 W. Tehachapi Blvd seating is limited (only 80 people)

The presentation: doors open at 5:30 pm, program begins at 6 pm.

Reservations may be made at the Tehachapi Museum, 822-8152, 310 S. Green Street, Tehachapi. Tickets are $15.00. Reservations are confirmed upon payment. Make check out to the Tehachapi Heritage League.

All photographs from the Hummingbird Society web site. Office located in Sedona, AZ (hummingbirdsociety.org)

The Pacific Flyway is an aerial superhighway stretching nearly 10,000 miles from Alaska to South America. It encompasses fewer US states and more Globally Important Bird Areas than any of the other three flyways in North America. Each year at least a billion birds of some 350 species travel the Flyway during their annual migrations, north in the spring to nesting grounds and south in the fall to their winter homes. This, however, represents only a fraction of the birds that used the Pacific Flyway a century ago. Some species, such as the Black-footed Albatross and Least Tern, are in serious trouble. Even many common birds such as the Western Sandpiper, have become far less abundant. There are many threats to the birds of the Flyway, from habitat loss, water diversion for agriculture and development, diminishing food resources, and climate change. California’s exceptional drought is only making matters worse.

Audubon has been at the forefront of safeguarding birds and their ecosystems throughout its nearly 110 year history. Join National Audubon Vice President Michael Sutton for an evening to celebrate recent victories on behalf of birds and discuss the challenges and opportunities still ahead along the Pacific Flyway—aerial superhighway for the birds!

Mike Sutton has an extensive background in conservation. Prior to coming to Audubon, he was Vice-president of the Monterey Bay Aquarium where he founded the Center for the Future of the Oceans, the Aquarium’s conservation advocacy arm. Before that Mike established and led ocean conservation programs at the David & Lucille Packard Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund where he founded the Marine Stewardship Council based in London. Mike lives in the Carmel Valley and is a great birder!

Kern Audubon's first meeting following the summer break will be

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014 -- 7:00 pm

Supt. of Schools building, 17th and L Streets

Below are some pictures of our last meeting, the annual barbeque at Jastro Park: officers were elected, fabulous food was consumed, and CALM provided info about their feathered friends. (Pictures courtesy of Roger Coley)

Kern Audubon Society Tehachapi Chapter

Our local bird club is having their next meeting:

Tuesday Evening, April 29th

At 7:00 p.m. in

Golden Hills Elementary School Cafeteria 20215 Park Road

“ Spring is in the Air ” Mary Dufrain

Our local birds are in breeding colors, singing their little hearts out trying to find the perfect partner who will help build their nests and raise their young. During this time birds consume and feed to their off-spring large quantities of crawling bugs and flying insects. One bird house installed in a garden will help control unwanted damaging pests greatly lessening a gardener's dependence on insecticides, saving money and crops. Nature's Organic Pest Control.

Come see the many different birds that can be attracted to your garden by placing the correct box in the correct spot.

Kern Audubon Society
Tuesday April 8, 2014 - 7:00pm Please note the change in date, we are meeting the second Tuesday April 8th
Kern Supt of Schools,17th & L Sts.

"Birding Australia"

Presented by

John Eigenauer

Kookabura sits on an old gum treemerry, merry king of the bush is he laugh Kookabura, laugh Kookabura, gay your life must be!

Thus goes the old folk song about the national bird of Australia and one of the birds John Eigenauer will talk about in his coming presentation on birding in Australia. John will show pictures of his adventure and will cover the major families of birds found in Australia as well as discuss prominent birding areas one might consider when birding in Australia . John Eigenauer is a Professor of Philosophy at Taft College. He has been an avid birder for 6 years and in that time has birded extensively around the world. He especially likes tropical birding and has birded in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru as well as Australia, Canada, and Europe. John previously presented an excellent program on birding in Panama to Kern Audubon, which included tips on travel, which he will talk about in his Australia program as well. John and his wife, Cece, are members of Kern Audubon and John serves on the Field Trip Committee.

by Bill Lydecker

Kern Audubon Society

Tuesday February 4, 2014 - 7:00pm

Kern Supt of Schools, 17th & L Sts.

" Svalbard Adventure:

Arctic Summer & Wildlife"

Presented by Bill & Greta Lydecker

Imagine a place where you are surrounded by blues and grays, browns and greens and white and the sun is never overhead but never sets. You see ice and snow, water and sky, mountains, arctic wildlife and plants. Spitzbergen - pointed peaks - was officially discovered in 1596 by the Dutch explorer, Willem Barents. In the 20th Century, Norway renamed the island group Svalbard - cold coast - after a reference in a 1194 Viking saga. The Svalbard archipelago is located about midway between Norway and the north pole. Many Arctic explorers launched their quests to try to reach the North Pole from Svalbard . Walrus and seals, polar bear, reindeer, thousands of nesting birds, glaciers and ice, the short arctic summer and fragile arctic ecosystem are all topics to be explored in this February 4th program.

Come and share the experience of Bill & Greta Lydecker, Kern Audubon members, through their images of the arctic taken last summer during a ten day Svalbard expedition cruise!

Kern Audubon Society --- Tehachapi Chapter

Our local bird club is having their next meeting:

Tuesday Evening, Jan. 28, 2014

At 7:00 p.m.

Golden Hills Elementary School Cafeteria

20215 Park Road

Guest Speaker: Ali Sheehey

Ali Sheehey, is an avid naturalist and anthropologist living in Kern County for the past twenty years. Currently Ali is the Programs Director for Sequoia ForestKeeper, a non-profit organization that protects the Giant Sequoias. Expect to leave her presentation on the Natural History of Kern County , with a deep appreciation for why this area of Central California is so special.

Please join us for an evening of sharing bird sightings and telling related stories.

Refreshments and a fundraising raffle are an added bonus.

Any items you would like to re-gift at our raffle???

Bring them to the meeting!

Cuckoo by Gary Lindquist

Kern Audubon Society

Tuesday January 7, 2014 - 7:00pm

Kern Supt of Schools, 17th & L Sts.

"BEHIND THE FEATHERS"

Gary Lindquist, DVM, Photographer

Due to urban sprawl and the large expanses of corporate farming monoculture, the natural habitat of the central valley is quickly disappearing. Wildlife suffers from loss of migratory corridors, shelter, food supply and even fresh water. In a powerpoint presentation entitled "Behind the Feathers", Gary Lindquist will offer tips on attracting birds to your yard. The presentation will cover water, shelter and the type of foods and feeders needed to support birds in an urban environment. He'll also talk about the risks and dangers of being a bird in the modern world.

Gary Lindquist is a retired small-animal veterinarian and Visalia resident where he has been active for many years with Tulare Audubon. Currently he serves as co-leader for the chapter's bi-monthly field trips. He is a well known valley photographer who has been taking pictures since the slide film era. His photo (above) of the Common Cuckoo found in Watsonville, California was the recent cover photo for Western Ornithology Magazine. He feels there is much more to birding than just identifying the bird and putting it ona list. "In my photos I strive to capture a behavior or trait that makes that bird special. I love trivia about birds." Start 2014 with a fascinating look at birds....join us!!

Cassin's Kingbird

Greg Iger, photo by Casey Christie

ANNUAL HOLIDAY GATHERING & POTLUCK

Tues. DEC 3, 2013 - 6:30PM

Kern Supt of Schools, 17th & L Sts.

Kern Audubon is planning an evening of holiday fun,

good food, fund-raising and a special program....join us!!

Greg Iger, Photographer
" Scenes of Kern County"He has photographed some of the military's top brass, Hollywood's old guard, politicians,presidential hopefuls, and countless anxious brides and grooms, but after nearly a half century behind the lens, it is still Kern County's splendid landscapes that move Greg Iger, the man widely and affectionately considered Kern County's unofficial photographer. Today his photographs line the walls of area hospitals, corporate headquarters and office buildings across town. Greg Iger will be our December guest speaker along with a photographic presentation of some of his iconic photos of Kern County.

Bring a POTLUCK ITEM to share:
main dish (serving 8-10), salad or dessert

Table service & drinks provided

There will also be an AUCTION, both live & silent!
Heather Ellison is the auction coordinator this year and these are just someof the items that will be up for auction....
Sequoia Sandwich shop gift certificate
CALM Membeship certificate
Bakersfield Symphony tickets
Abundant Harvest food box
Urrichios gift certificate
Bird seed, Joe Bugni's honey
GREG IGER PHOTO
and much more.....

If you have Items you'd like to donate to the auction, please email (hk_ellison@yahoo.com)
a brief description and a suggested starting bid so that bidding sheets can be prepared in advance or give Heather a call: 319-4721

Bird or birding-related items are welcome as are other gift items, such as artwork, wreaths, homemade jams, quilts, etc. If you will be unable to attend but have an item you'd like to donate, call Heather

Bring cash or checkbook as we don't do credit cards!

3 brothers, Yosemite, by Greg Iger

Kern Audubon -- Tues. Nov. 5, 2013

Kern Supt of Schools - 17th L Sts.
( Parking garage 18th & K Sts.)

“Renewing a River: Audubon and the
Restoration of the San Joaquin River”

Rivers hold a special place in our hearts and minds, evoking memories of waterways, sustaining an abundance of wildlife, and providing the life blood of farms, communities and cities. However, many of our California rivers have been seriously impacted by water diversions, channelization, and pollution—with the San Joaquin River being one of the most compelling examples. The San Joaquin River is the second largest river in California, yet since the early 1950s its channel was dry for 60 miles. Over the decades, it lost a diverse mosaic of wetland and riverside natural areas that supported an abundance of wildlife – migratory birds and salmon in the hundreds of thousands—replaced by what has been called the most altered landscape on Earth. But in 2006, the future of the San Joaquin River changed when it became part of one of the largest river and salmon restorations in the country.

The goal of this restoration is to return the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to life, establishing sustainable balance among its many uses by both humans and wildlife. Since 1988 Audubon has been a part of this effort to save the river. Meghan Hertle's presentation will take viewers on a photographic journey that highlights the river's history, its importance to birds, wildlife and humans, and efforts to save this river. Meghan received her BA from the University of Florida and her MA from Clark University. She has been San Joaquin River Project Manager at Audubon California, Conservation Program Administrator at Resources Legacy Fund , 2009 Water Leader at Water Education Foundation and was honored as an Albert Schweitzer Fellow

Test flow into current SJ riverbed. Photo by M.Weber Possible future outcome for SJ river

Kern Audubon -- Tues. Oct. 1, 2013

Kern Supt of Schools - 17th L Sts.
( Parking garage 18th & K Sts.)

Bob Steele"Birds of Southeast Asia"

Target bird: one of the rarest on the planet is the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. This is the prize for most birders, including Bob Steele, who venture to Thailand. But that is only the start of a wonderful birding adventure in Southeast Asia. Join professional bird photographer Bob Steele as we explore several of the best birding locations in Thailand, with a few species from Malaysia and Singapore as well. Thailand, a country about the size of California has recorded well over 1000 species. From coastal wetlands and beaches, to tropical forested mountains the bird life is amazingly diverse.
Bob and his wife Susan traveled to Southeast Asia in 2012 and 2013 and Bob will show his incredible pictures and talk about their adventures.

"National Monuments: The Antiquities Act and the Preservation of America's Heritage"

For over 100 years, the 1906 Antiquities Act has empowered American presidents--from Theodore Roosevelt to Barack Obama--to create national monuments to protect and preserve America's natural and cultural heritage. The illustrated talk will discuss the origins of the preservation ideal, the conservation movemment, and the development of America's system of national monuments.

Douglas Dodd is an Associate Professor of History at CSU Bakersfield, where he teaches U.S. history, environmental history, and the history of the American West. His work focuses on the history of the federal public land management policy. His current research project is on the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in California's national parks, 1933-1942.

Two national monuments in Kern county are the Carrizo Plain and the Giant Sequoia National Monuments. Come find out the most recent national monument near Bakersfield dedicated last year!

The program consists of a photographic tour of Colombia and its birds, with information on Colombian geography, its cuisine, culture, and people. Chris will talk about the increasingly better security situation; the Colombian government, at all levels, has made great strides in bringing peace and prosperity to Colombia. Colombia boasts the world's longest list of birds, now over 1890 species (more than North America and Europe combined). Much of this diversity is due to the country's complex topography, which includes three Andean ranges and the valleys between these ranges, Atlantic and Pacific coasts, vast grasslands bordering Venezuela and a large portion of the Amazon Basin. Birding in Colombia promotes responsible environmental and social ecotourism and provides an opportunity of a lifetime for birdwatchers.

Christopher Calonje was born and raised in Cali, Colombia, and earned a degree from Humboldt State University in Natural Resources Planning. He has been conducting birding tours (Colombia Birdwatch) in his native Colombia for many years, and has had the pleasure to travel throughout the entire country photographing its amazing avian diversity.